On October 29, 2021, Justice Ventures International (JVI), its local partners, and government authorities conducted a sex trafficking intervention in rural Bihar where 16 victims (11 minors and 5 adults) were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation. The traffickers were caught off guard as they witnessed the first ever rescue intervention in that area. “Locals were stunned to see so many police officers barge into a facility like that. No one there ever thought it could have been a raid” said a JVI team member.
The team raided five establishments and arrested 14 perpetrators, including customers and traffickers. Operating as innocuous dance orchestras by day, these establishments turn into brothels at night where victims are forced to engage sexually with customers.
All survivors are now residing in aftercare homes where they will receive counselling and therapy to help deal with the trauma they have endured over the years. JVI lawyers have filed police complaints against the perpetrators and are working to ensure none get released on bail.
JVI’s Aftercare team are working with the local authorities to ensure each victim has access to various government benefits and resources for a fresh start. Our partnerships with various like-minded NGOs allow survivors to pursue sustainable vocations, guiding them to be independent.
“Leading a rescue team into unchartered territory is always a challenge but with proper planning and cooperative officials, we were determined to rescue the minors” said one of the JVI rescue team members. “Venturing into such remote areas, rescuing victims and arresting perpetrators, JVI is sending a strong deterrent message to the other traffickers.”
